Background
The National Police of Cambodia and the Royal Gendarmerie carry out coordinated anti-narcotics operations across provinces to investigate, arrest suspects, and seize controlled substances. On 19 May 2026, security forces recorded seven separate anti-drug cases that resulted in 15 arrests and the seizure of 31.07 grams of methamphetamine.
Anti-narcotics enforcement in Cambodia commonly addresses three offence categories: trafficking, transport or storage, and personal use; these categories shape investigative priorities and case reporting. Provincial police and gendarmerie units executed the operations, with recorded activity in Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kep, Kampot, Kandal, and Preah Sihanouk provinces.
Key Developments
On 19 May national enforcement activity produced seven cases and 15 detentions across the country. Case breakdown by offence type was reported as: trafficking — 1 case with 3 arrests; transport/storage — 4 cases with 10 arrests; personal use — 2 cases with 2 arrests. Total methamphetamine seized across all cases was reported at 31.07 grams.
Enforcement Actions
Participating police units (four provincial police elements) reported operations as follows: Battambang — one personal-use case with one arrest plus execution of two warrants resulting in two further arrests; Kampong Cham — one transport/storage case with five arrests and seizure of 3.00 grams of methamphetamine; Kampong Chhnang — one trafficking case with three arrests and 21.18 grams seized; Kep — one transport/storage case with one arrest and 2.95 grams seized. The Royal Gendarmerie (three provincial units) reported: Kampot — one transport/storage case with three arrests and 1.87 grams seized; Kandal — one transport/storage case with one arrest and 2.07 grams seized; Preah Sihanouk — one personal-use case with one arrest.
Institutional Role
Provincial police units typically lead on suspect arrests and evidence collection within their jurisdictions, while the Royal Gendarmerie conducts parallel operations in assigned provinces and supports rural enforcement. Both institutions record case types and seizure weights in operational reports to inform national drug-control statistics and inter-agency coordination.
Official Source
Operation details were published by the National Police of Cambodia and are available from the department’s public statement and the linked police report: https://police.gov.kh/?p=160109 and the department Facebook post cited above.
